thomson



I (No Model.)

J. L. THOM$ON.

SHOE CLASP. N0. 302,44 8. Patented July 22, 1884.

INVENTB quarter of the overshoe.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JUDSON L. THOMSON, SYRACUSE, NEYV YORK.

SHOE-CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 302,448, dated July 22, 1884.

Application filed March 4, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it mar concern.-

Be it known that I, JUDsoN L. THoMsoN, of Syracuse in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Clasps, of which the following, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention consists in a novel construction and combination of the component parts of a spring-clasp and its interlocking plate, which possesses superior stability and durability, and can be manufactured expeditiously and cheaply.

The invention is fully illustrated in the annexed drawings, wherein Figure l is an edge view of my improved shoe-clasp with the parts interlocked. Figs. 2 and 3 are plan views of the parts detached. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line x m, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detached perspective view of the tongue; and Figs. 6 and 7 are plan views of the blanks from which the main plate and spring of the clasp are formed.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A is a metal plate, designed to be attached to one of the quarters of an overshoe, said plate being provided with a series of transverse slots, a a, for adjustably connecting it with the tongue 0, which is hinged on a main plate, B, adapted to be secured to the other This plate B is formed from a metal blank, having an extension, 0, as'shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, said extension being of sufficient length to allow it to be rolled up to embrace a hinge-pin, b, as represented by dotted lines in said figure, and leave rabbets c 0 back of the pintle or hinge-pin b. The tongue 0 is hung on said pin, and provided at the underside thereof with a cam, d. Upon the main plate, and contiguous thereto, lies a thin sheet of steel, 1), which is riveted thereto at its rear end, and has its forward end formed with extensions e e, as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, said extensions being strained over the rab; beted portions of the main plate 13, and extended under the cam d of the tongue, to act as a spring for holding the tongue in its interlocked position, as represented in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and also in its raiscdposition for entering it into one of the slots (1. of the plate A, or disconnecting said parts.

Althoughthe plates A and B are'curved for the purpose of fitting them to the instep of the foot, yet the shape of different persons feet varies, so that it is impossible to always make the aforesaid plates-fit as desired, and in case of a misfit the plate A, owing to its weakness across the ends of the slots a a, frequently becomes either straightened or unduly bent by the tensile strain it is subjected to. To overcome said defects I re-enforce the plate A by longitudinal ribs 1' r, struck up or pressed out of the marginal portion of the plate, and forming braces across the ends of the respective slots a a.

I am aware that it is a common mechanical expedient to stiffen metal plates by ribs or corrugations, and I therefore do not claim the same broadly.

The plate B and its superincumbent s pri ngplate D, I provide with a transverse slot, 71, near the hinge of the tongue 0, through which slot the usual attaching-stri p passes. By making the slot in the position aforesaid, undue projection of the plate 13 on the quarter of the shoe is obviated and a more secure attachment is obtained.

WVhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is'

1. In combination with the slotted interlocking plate, a clasp consisting of a main plate, provided at its forward end with a hinge-pin and with rabbcts back of said pin, a tongue hung on the hinge-pin and provided with a cam underneath the same, and a springtion of the plate across the ends of the slots thereof, substantially as specified and shown.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my seal, in the presence of two attesting witnesses, at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, this 22d day of February, 1884.

JUDSON L. THOMSON. [n s.]

Vitnesses:

O. H. DUELL, F. H. GIBBs. 

